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Pumas to help develop England

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:30

England will face a South American XV in Uruguay prior to their two-Test series against Argentina in June.

Stuart Lancaster’s side will face a CONSUR XV representing the South American nations in Montevideo on Sunday, June 2 (15.30 local time).

Then they meet Argentina for Test matches in Salta on June 8 (16.10 local time) and at Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on June 15 (16.10 local time).

The sides met in one-off Tests in 2002 and 2009 but this is the first two-Test series between the teams in Argentina since England toured there in 1997.

England will name their tour squad of approximately 30 players in early May before facing the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on May 26 (13.00).

Head coach Lancaster said: “Argentina is a formidable rugby nation and we’re looking forward to facing the Pumas in back-to-back Tests, which a young and developing side will need to be at its very best to win.

“Together with matches against the Barbarians at Twickenham and the CONSUR team in Uruguay, the programme gives this group a real opportunity to measure their progress and continue to learn what they need to succeed at the highest level.”

The sides last met in South America in June 2009, when current England captain Chris Robshaw won his first cap in a 22-24 defeat at the hands of the Pumas.